The Parker-Hawes Rod

[Bruce Day]

This post is for those people who are interested in Parker things other than guns.

Many people do not realize that Parker made or marketed a variety of high quality sporting things.

In the 1920's, Parker partnered with Hiram Hawes to produce a Parker-Hawes fly rod. Hiram Hawes had been an apprentice of H L Leonard, who is credited with producing the modern American lightweight split bamboo fly rod, and whose shop produced some of the best. H L Leonard rods are some of the most collectible today and are still in use. Along with Hiram Hawes, a fellow Leonard apprentice was Pinky Gillum, whose work was impeccable. A Gillum rod recently sold for $5000. Leonard, Hawes and Gillum rods are highly sought.

Hawes made approximately 1000 rods under his own name and about 220 under the Parker-Hawes relationship. They are high quality and still fishable today. This is a 9 foot, 4 and 3/4 oz rod, with what is understood to be the original rod tube and sock. The tube is missing its label. Hawes rods are collector quality rods and the Parker name makes them even more so. The Parker-Hawes rods ceased production in 1933. It is not known how many still exist today. They are of the Catskill school. Not having been in the Catskills, I cannot venture a guess as to chances of finding ones today that are not already known to collectors, but one never knows.

[Dean Romig]

Bruce, do you know if that example is in original condition or refinished? The difference between the mounting of the agate in the tip tops is what raises my curiosity. The grip cork does not appear to be in original condition - can you comment on that? I'm not nit-picking. The fact that so few were produced makes that one an extremely rare rod indeed.

[Bruce Day]

I believe that both tips are original, just different agate circles. These are all hand cut and vary. Both tips on this rod are full length.

The grip has been cleaned. A common cleaning method is soap and water then rub with dry Comet powder as an abrasive until the cork is cleaned.

There has been a varnish recoat but its not streaky and no brush strokes are seen. No evidence of any rewinding and the ferrules still pop.

[Rod N. Gunn]

Rare indeed, thanks for sharing Bruce.

[Austin W Hogan]

Hawes was Leonard's nephew, and was with Leonard for 28 years before beginning his own shop. I'll have to dig around in my catalogs , but 6+/- Hawes rod types are listed in the 1920 A&F catalog, and I think they were cataloged by Mills as well.
If the number Bruce gave of 300 Hawes rods sold by Parker in a few depression years of the 1930's is correct, it is probable that more than 1000 were sold during the roaring twenties.
Warm rain and strong wind took the ice out of several streams near here, and trout season is legally open on open water. I think I'll wait for the water temperature to reach 40F. I'm off to the Hanover Orvis outlet to get some 3665A and 94701.

Best, Austin

[Old and Reliable]

Another good way to clean a cork grip is with common white Colgate toothpaste and a toothbrush- a mild abrasive, with water and some 'elbow grease" usually works-- I have never seen a Hawes rod- my favorites were the three piece Leonards, especially the 49 7 & 1/2 foot and the 50 8 foot--

Not uncommon for rod tubes and their labels to "stray", but having such with the rod if you offer it for sale will command a higher price.

Also common to find older rods from the 1920-1940 era to be 'wearing a new suit of clothes"- back then, horsehide or casein glues were used, and most all the major rod makers made their own ferrules and reel seat hardware-

I have only seen one original Harold Steele Gillum rod- a lovely salmon rod- 9 foot 3 pc. with two full tips and the removeable extension butt. The owner used it on the Restigouche and Matapedia rivers in years past- believe he had a Hardy St. John salmon reel with it--like a AAHE 20 bore in mint condition- truly a thing of beauty with form following function-

[Bruce Day]

Hello Austin, the number I was told was that Hawes made a total of 1000 rods under his own name in all years and 220 under the Parker-Hawes name. I wonder if those are the correct numbers.

[Wild Skies]

Originally Posted by Austin W Hogan

I'm off to the Hanover Orvis outlet to get some 3665A and 94701.

Best, Austin

Of course, we all know what 3665A's are, but what are 94701's?

[Dean Romig]

Austin, one of these days I'll give you my recipe for the streamer I developed over several years of trial and error - The "Apparition" (borrowed from the Ghost series of streamers but didn't want to use that name as mine is tied in an advanced 'matuka' style). I tie it on a 3665A also. It is far and away the most effective streamer I have ever used for a smelt imitation.

[Big D]

Here's a good hook comparison chart. No 94701 though.

http://www.killroys.com/hooks/hookchrt.htm

Wonder who thought up the numbering system for Mustad. No apparent rhyme or reason that I can see.